Foreign License verification

5 Answers

1. 
   

   
   

   KDS on Oct 19, 2019

   I don’t think I can answer your question, but I can add some information that may be helpful.

   First, here is a Question and Answer from the old FAQ’s:

   QUESTION: I understand that the FAA’s Airmen Registry, AFS-760, is now requiring foreign pilots who wish to apply for a U.S. pilot certificate on the basis of their foreign pilot license to also obtain an FAA medical certificate. This requirement is something new for us and for the many foreign pilots who rent our aircraft. Having reviewed § 61.75(b)(4), there is no requirement for a foreign pilot to obtain an FAA medical certificate if he or she already has a medical certificate issued by a medical examiner authorized by the pilot’s national aviation authority.
   Additionally I would submit with respect that the process of foreign license verification is exactly that – the license and associated ratings, not the medical certificate. It would appear that somebody in AFS-760 or a higher authority has now expanded the verification process to check on the status of a foreign medical certificate. There is nothing that I can find to indicate the verification process, as laid down in the regulations, has been expanded and therefore I contend it is an undue burden on both the FAA, a foreign aviation authority and the individual pilot concerned.
   ANSWER: Ref. § 61.75(b)(4) and FAA Order 8700.1, Vol. 2, Chapter 29. Yes, a person who applies for a U.S. pilot certificate must provide evidence of either holding a valid and current foreign medical license or a valid and current U.S. medical certificate that was issued in accordance with Part 67.
   The following are the guidelines that the FAA’s Airmen Registry, AFS-700, enforce concerning the medical certification requirements:
   · If the foreign airman holds a current foreign medical in their foreign country, then the FAA’s verification of authenticity letter will show this information on its letter.
   · If the foreign airman holds an expired medical license (meaning not an endorsement), then the FAA’s verification of authenticity letter will read that the airman must provide proof of a valid FAA medical certificate.
   · If the foreign airman holds an expired medical (endorsement) license, then the FAA’s verification of authenticity letter will state that the airman is not eligible for an FAA pilot certificate.
   · If the foreign airman holds a current foreign medical license, but the information from the foreign CAA does not include a expiration date. Then the FAA’s verification of authenticity letter will state “Please see the foreign medical certificate provided by the airman at the time of application.”
   · If no medical information is provided, then the FAA’s verification of authenticity letter will require that the foreign airman provide proof of FAA medical certification.

   So, for your purpose, part of the issue would be is your foreign license valid. Obviously, if it isn’t, then it’s a mute issue.

   I also know that some countries are good about verifying pilot licenses, some are not so good, and some never reply. I cannot say which is which, just that there are differences.

   However, after saying all that, I don’t think you could ever go wrong talking with an inspector at the FSDO. I would suggest that you not only make an appointment, but you ensure they know what you’re coming in to discuss well in advance. It’s not at all unusual that the inspectors have to research a subject themselves and giving them advance notice helps smooth that process.

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2. 
   

   
   

   ayavner on Oct 19, 2019

   From my own experience converting my Australian PPL to a FAA certificate, the stipulation was that it was only valid when carried with the other license AND as long as that other license was still valid (ie not expired or rescinded, suspended, etc)

   It did save me a ton of money and time and was painless (more or less) but would not have been worth my time if my Aussie one was invalid. That’s what the verification is for, the FAA sends a form to the other countries civil aviation authority.

   Best of luck! BTW your aeronautical experience (hours) should still count, so i wouldn’t think you’d have to start from scratch in any case.
   adam

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3. Best Answer
   
   

   
   

   LTCTerry on Oct 21, 2019

   You didn’t say what certificate you want to end up with. A certificate issued on the basis of a foreign certificate is only at the private level.

   I’m assuming you are interested in an FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate with a rotary wing rating. If the issuing country is willing/able to provide validation to the FAA, you can get a private certificate under 61.75. You can use this to get a real FAA commercial certificate that is independent of anything else.

   The process can take months. If you need a current medical from the other country then it makes little/no sense. Here’s my suggestion:

   All your existing logbook experience counts.

   Get a student pilot certificate.

   Start training for the FAA Commercial Pilot Helicopter certificate/rating. Get your instructor to give you an endorsement for the Private Pilot Helicopter knowledge test. Ditto for the Commercial knowledge test. Take the private written test. Take the private checkride. Take the commercial written test. Take the commercial checkride. Done.

   This is just one more written test than required if you had validation. It is one more checkride than validation, but the training for one feeds right into the other.

   It’s my understanding that some countries are unwilling to provide validation – Russia for example. Others may take a long time. Instead of waiting, you could be done sooner. Depending on what you are flying, this might cost about $1,500 more than adding commercial onto a 61.75 certificate.

   Just my opinion/advice after helping a number of people with 61.75 issues. Sometimes it only looks like you are starting over. Hope this helps.

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4. 
   

   
   

   Andrey on Oct 22, 2019

   Thanks to everybody who answered me (Foreign License verification) and many thanks to LTC Terry who’s answer is absolutely helpful since I am from Russia. Does somebody knows the person (or persons ) who failed to get an answer from Russian Aviation Authority after filing Verification Form to them? Terry, can you answer one more Q if you see it, please?

   Thank You,

   Regards.

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5. 
   

   
   

   Ramjet555 on Jul 26, 2021

   Its easy to go nuts when people send you FARs to read rather than
   answer the question.
   I’m a high time Airplane CFI who just added Helicopter CFI
   and presently instructing near Eugene Oregon.

   Here is the answer.
   ALL your logged helicopter Flight Time is valid.
   How much you can use is the question.
   You will need to complete the requirements that are laid out.

   Check your cross country training flights, did they go 50nm?
   If overseas, they were probably 60nm and exceeded the 50nm.

   If you have a lot of Instrument time, you might consider doing
   a combined Private and Instrument rating that you might have
   covered much of those requirements.

   Read up on PDPIC as that is essential to getting a
   private and instrument together.\

   Now, if you held a Commercial , you can make an FAA commercial your
   first flight test and thats another story.

   This user name at Gmail.com

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